January 31, 2009
Posted: January 31st, 2009 02:40 PM ET

From
CNN

Watch Kate Balduan report the Obama's could prompt a DC renaissance.

WASHINGTON (CNN)– President Barack Obama pledged to bring change to Washington.

Now that he's moved to town, local restaurant owners are hoping he'll keep his campaign promise.

After eight years of largely being ignored by a homebody president, Washington restaurateurs are throwing open their doors to the new first family - dreaming of a presidential visit that would undoubtedly spark buzz at a time when some restaurants are struggling.

"I think the Obama family brings back this kind of Kennedy-era style of having a youthful family in the White House," said Sheldon Scott, general manager of Marvin restaurant, in the trendy U-Street corridor. "People actually plan on living in the city, not just necessarily living at the city."

Obama and his wife Michelle have signaled they will continue their tradition of "date nights" at local restaurants. Soon after moving to Washington in January, Obama and a group of friends celebrated his wife's birthday at the upscale Equinox restaurant near the White House.

Equinox chef and owner Todd Gray said since the Obamas' visit "phones are ringing like crazy, not only for reservations but also for congratulations."

"They're creating a huge buzz," he said. "They're out dining, They're out supporting small family businesses, local-run businesses that in the end are the backbone of the American economy. And if that doesn't give people hope, I don't know what will."

The city has already seen a benefit. DC Chamber of Commerce President Barbara Lang said preliminary reports show the inaugural celebrations brought in $700 million to $1 billion to Washington businesses. Lang is optimistic that trend will continue, and cited Obama's visit earlier this month to Ben's Chili Bowl, a landmark Washington restaurant, as an example.

"It doesn't mean that all of our economic problems are over with - I think we still are gonna have some challenges," she said. "[But] this past Saturday or Sunday, the line getting into Ben's Chili Bowl was five blocks long. And so that's the kind of impact that because Mr. Obama ate there, everybody wanted to go see Ben's Chili Bowl. Well, we expect that same kind of impact around the city."

Filed under: Michelle Obama • Obama family • President Obama


harriett   February 1st, 2009 5:39 am ET

Since stepping on the worlds stage, Mr. President and Mrs. Obama have actually inspired a nation to embrace its heritage and to take notice of what it has to offer. We are being challenged to revisit what made us fall in love with this great country. This will help spurn the economy and get it chugging along eventually. I'm so proud to see the country looking forward to the days, weeks and years ahead with a new first family leading the way. Way to go Mr. President and Mrs. Obama:)

antony sadick   February 1st, 2009 12:04 am ET

God bless the president!

LJinLACA   January 31st, 2009 9:40 pm ET

People wonder why celebrate the election? Places that brace the President will prosper from his popularity...

Ray Fisher   January 31st, 2009 7:32 pm ET

As personable as these two are, I can envision the secret service blocking off a city street around them to have evening dinners at a nice restaurant and enjoy the ambiance of the neighborhoods. It will be a nice change to see the first family participating in American life with average Americans. Shucks, I'd make it a party wherever thet go in Washington just to loosen the stuffed shirt crowd!!!

Chris from DC   January 31st, 2009 7:29 pm ET

I love it! Finally a President who is embracing our city–and not snobbily eschewing it.

My recommendation for Mr. Obama's next meal–Obelisk on P street. A hidden gem that offers the most equisite northern Italian fare to be found anywhere.

person   January 31st, 2009 7:14 pm ET

Next let's start improving american education, it's really suffering. I don't want the world to think we all are a bunch of "W's".

karela   January 31st, 2009 6:58 pm ET

Wow! People fussed about the amount spent on Obama's inauguration, but if D.C. businesses got a billion dollars worth of business from it, it was a pretty good deal! Turns out the inauguration was the first stimulus package of the Obama administration. It brought in more business to the nation's capitol than it cost and it wasn't paid for with taxpayer dollars. Pretty cool!!!

Ernie in LA   January 31st, 2009 6:49 pm ET

You need to get to work Obama. The labor unions are waiting on you too. They gave you 85 million dollars. Deliver your promises.

Reality   January 31st, 2009 6:36 pm ET

In this time of depression our president will be out spending taxpayer dollars to boost the sales of restaurant owners who support his campaign. He will be creating a significant national security risk each week to feed his own ego and celebrity image. Meanwhile he condemns execs for flying chartered and accepting bonuses.

The H doesn't stand to Hussein, it stands for Hypocrite. Corrupted, egotistical, do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do Democrat hypocrite.

Al Gore, with his million dollar monthly energy bill and son who drives his Prius at 100pmh while hopped up on pills, would make a great dinner guest. So would Nanci Pelosi, with her giving government money to her husband and personal jet.

Erika, KS   January 31st, 2009 6:27 pm ET

Oh Please! Kennedy style? Get a life people, and stop this asinine Kennedy comparison. Obama hasn't done anything. Time will tell.

jaye   January 31st, 2009 6:11 pm ET

This family is completely different than many of their uppity predecessors. They will make D.C. their home and not act as though they're too good for normal folks.

Meka   January 31st, 2009 6:08 pm ET

THE LOCAL'S NEED TO CHILL FOR A MOMENT. . .

PRESIDENT OBAMA, HASN'T HAD A LOT OF TIME TO EAT OUT-HE'S BEEN TRYING TO PUT OUT, BUSH'S FIRES!

Ula Nejad Sacramento, Ca   January 31st, 2009 5:56 pm ET

Can they send this picture to the archives? Its a sight for sore eyes on any given day.

S Callahan   January 31st, 2009 5:53 pm ET

lol....now he HAS to make a visit to Marvin's.....lol good marketing..at it's best.

WHAT???   January 31st, 2009 5:51 pm ET

Americans are starting to put too much pressure and too much importance on the Obamas.

They are not the NEW COMING, GODS, or YOUR SAVIORS.....they are just human beings like the rest of us.

He currently has a very important job to do and he should be left alone to focus on the economy.

Let's get that done first before we start worrying about all the phony materialistic things like glamour and style.

No Hillary = No Obama   January 31st, 2009 5:44 pm ET

Obama may be all sytle, but he's definitely NOT all substance. Style fades, substance takes root and sprots many branches. This guy is so over rated.

bsmith171   January 31st, 2009 5:30 pm ET

how about some more CAMELOT?
it was created two years after JFK was killed.
JFK never participated.

Gordon Shumway   January 31st, 2009 5:24 pm ET

There is one hell of a difference between Obama and Kennedy. Actual prior service in which one was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for one's country, for starters.

tokyo joe   January 31st, 2009 5:24 pm ET

what a stud.

tishoogle   January 31st, 2009 5:19 pm ET

Love it!! Let's see what the GOP"S have to say about this!!!!!! They are such sore Losers!!!!!!

a canuck   January 31st, 2009 4:52 pm ET

Good for the Obama's.........the Bushes were afraid to venture off the White House grounds !!!

Sal   January 31st, 2009 4:47 pm ET

very nice
im really rooting for you Barack Obama
so far so good

john w   January 31st, 2009 4:47 pm ET

nowhere near camelot

Barack wins and America collectively loses.   January 31st, 2009 3:52 pm ET

Where should I throw up. These guys are no Kennedys, give me a break. We got a militant lady and a dude with big ears, that is a good teleprompter reader.

Maggie SC   January 31st, 2009 3:46 pm ET

Sounds like someone is racking up brownie points

Simmy   January 31st, 2009 3:42 pm ET

Change.....Change......Change... I will continue to believe in. Not just words; my President and First Lady are back them up with action!

God bless you First Family and our Great Nation!

Dawn   January 31st, 2009 3:37 pm ET

Welcome Camalot!

Diane Dagenais Turbide   January 31st, 2009 3:28 pm ET

Now that is a new way of redistributing wealth and enjoying doing it while bringing up our spirit!

Dan, TX   January 31st, 2009 3:27 pm ET

Guess all that money spent on the inauguration was worth it after all.

Howard Church   January 31st, 2009 3:25 pm ET

Just because he can go out and have a grand evening with his cronies or his wife at an upscale restaurant, does not help feed and house the people out of work across this country. If people are attending your restaurants just because he ate their, then we are a shallow nation and we are in trouble! That fixes nothing!

Larry   January 31st, 2009 3:20 pm ET

So far the Obama family has been partying there brains out:

More than $150 million dollars spent in DC two weeks ago by the inauguration committee alone,how much was spent by the people attending???Hotels and restaurants should be well healed for a while.

sue   January 31st, 2009 3:15 pm ET

People need the president top go out to dinner before they will?
Now that we have a president that likes the night life, well now Washington will light up! What a bunch of hooey.
If President Bush went out alot, the libs would be saying, "How dare he in these tough times", but when Obama goes out, they'll say "he's so cool and hip and they're so bringing back the Kennedy era(don't get that at all) and saving the economy".
This is disturbing and strange.

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

twitter
@wolfblitzercnn: Trifecta -- NOT. My Redskins, Bills and Packers all lose this weekend. Very sad.
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:40:09 -0800
@HornickCNN: RT @andersoncooper: Interactive: The top 10 Health-Care-Reform Players http://bit.ly/6C3OlX
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:47:50 -0800
@HornickCNN: RT @cnn_oppmann: CNN.com: Mexico City approves same-sex marriage. http://bit.ly/5RyMnk #mexico
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:46:26 -0800
@HornickCNN: Rudy's reportedly not running for NY SEN or Gov ...
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:43:48 -0800
@wolfblitzercnn: Redskins-Giants always exciting. Both teams have a lot to prove. And Giants can still salvage playoffs. Skins just need a win.
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:19:36 -0800
Categories
Powered by WordPress.com VIP